The analysis of human remains is essential to determine cause and time of death, and to identify the remains to enable them to be returned to their family and loved ones, it can even allow us to trace our genetic and evolutionary history. Analysing human remains can be very involved depending on the age and condition they are found in; the focus can be on forensic chemistry, pathology, identification or anthropological analysis, to name a few.
Forensic Chemistry (Coby Mulrooney) is used to analyse human remains both pre and post mortem. It becomes very useful when there has been suspicion of foul play as the scientist will analyse the chemical contents found within body fluid, hair and nails to check for drugs or poisons of any kind. Forensic chemistry is mostly centred on the science of Forensic toxicology.
Forensic Pathology(Monique Park-Smith) is a branch of science that involves examining dead bodies for the purpose of identifying the cause of death and manner of death, which is necessary for legal purposes, through the practice of autopsies. Forensic pathology covers many techniques and areas such as wound analysis and determining time of death and therefore there is quite a bit of overlap between the different forensic science branches.
Evidence that can be used for identification; DNA, fingerprints, dental, surgical implants
Forensic Identification (Francine Bateman) can take many forms, from family identification to fingerprints, dental examination, genetic, or DNA, analysis. In this instance the focus will be on identification through DNA analysis. DNA analysis is a relatively new field of study (McDonald & Lehman 2012), especially in regards to forensic examination for identification purposes; it is often used in conjunction with other methods of identification.
Forensic Anthropology (Hamish Charlton) is mainly used to aid in the identification of human remains which are unrecognizable due to decomposition or damage. Forensic anthropology helps in determining age, sex, stature and the ancestry of the deceased as well as any disease or trauma inflicted upon the deceased prior to death.
The analysis of human remains is essential to determine cause and time of death, and to identify the remains to enable them to be returned to their family and loved ones, it can even allow us to trace our genetic and evolutionary history. Analysing human remains can be very involved depending on the age and condition they are found in; the focus can be on forensic chemistry, pathology, identification or anthropological analysis, to name a few.
Forensic Chemistry (Coby Mulrooney) is used to analyse human remains both pre and post mortem. It becomes very useful when there has been suspicion of foul play as the scientist will analyse the chemical contents found within body fluid, hair and nails to check for drugs or poisons of any kind. Forensic chemistry is mostly centred on the science of Forensic toxicology.
Forensic Pathology(Monique Park-Smith) is a branch of science that involves examining dead bodies for the purpose of identifying the cause of death and manner of death, which is necessary for legal purposes, through the practice of autopsies. Forensic pathology covers many techniques and areas such as wound analysis and determining time of death and therefore there is quite a bit of overlap between the different forensic science branches.
Forensic Identification (Francine Bateman) can take many forms, from family identification to fingerprints, dental examination, genetic, or DNA, analysis. In this instance the focus will be on identification through DNA analysis. DNA analysis is a relatively new field of study (McDonald & Lehman 2012), especially in regards to forensic examination for identification purposes; it is often used in conjunction with other methods of identification.
Forensic Anthropology (Hamish Charlton) is mainly used to aid in the identification of human remains which are unrecognizable due to decomposition or damage. Forensic anthropology helps in determining age, sex, stature and the ancestry of the deceased as well as any disease or trauma inflicted upon the deceased prior to death.
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This is a scientific wiki dealing with human remains; please be aware it includes graphic images of deceased persons